Barber: "I Love The Coaches"

CHICAGO – NC State point guard signee Anthony Barber is one of the nation's elite point guards and was rewarded by being selected to participate in this week's McDonald's All-American Game in Chicago.

NC State point guard signee Anthony Barber is one of the nation's elite point guards and was rewarded by being selected to participate in this week's McDonald's All-American Game in Chicago.

During media day at the United Center, Barber had a chance to talk with Pack Pride and reflect on the All-American festivities and the future at NC State.

On the practice floor, Barber sat out Tuesday's practice as a precautionary measure as he iced his back after a collision during a physical Monday practice with his East teammates.

"Yesterday we were playing and Julius (Randle) kind of hit me on the back and it kind of bruised up," Barber said of the injury. "The trainer is telling me to ice it, so I've just been icing it right now but I'll be back and ready for the game."

Although Barber missed Tuesday's practice, he's still taken in all of the festivities and particularly enjoyed Monday night's Powerade Jam Fest.

"It's been great. It's the top players in the country so it's going to be competitive the whole week. I'm just enjoying the whole week," Barber said. "The dunk contest was a lot of fun; (Andrew) Wiggins and Chris Walker and what they did. They just went crazy and were having fun. It's fun playing with these guys (in your grade) and seeing them as they go to the next level and keep going forward."

The event also gives Anthony a chance to compare his game to the nation's other elite floor generals. Barber is currently rated as Scout's No. 16 prospect in the 2013 class and is also rated as the No. 4 point guard.

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"I've played against some of these guys before. They know me and I know them," Barber said. "They do some stuff and I do some stuff that each other can't do, so it's fun being out here with your peers playing basketball."

Barber spent much of his senior season working hard to reach the McDonald's All-American Game and feels the hard work has paid off.

"I think I've gotten better and I'm shooting the ball better," Barber said of his game. "I've always gotten the ball to my teammates but now I want to be more of a leader on the floor with the other players."

While the McDonald's game is a nice accomplishment, Barber is also focused on getting to Raleigh and making an impact next season. He caught the Pack's game in the NCAA Tournament and the result only motivated Barber for next year.

"I watched it when we lost to Temple and it was a good game," Barber said. "They just came out sluggish, but it happens in basketball. Next year I'm going come in and do what I have to do to win a national championship and just have fun."

Now that NC State has lost their starting backcourt of Lorenzo Brown (NBA Draft) and Rodney Purvis (transfer), Barber could be asked to be a significant contributor as a freshman.

Barber expected to play with Purvis, himself a McDonald's All-American in 2012, and was still feeling the effects of Purvis' announced transfer.

"That was big when we lost (Rodney). I kind of figured we were going to lose C.J. and Lorenzo, but Rodney... that was kind of hard losing him," Barber said. "I came in thinking I was going to play with (Rodney) next year, but I guess he had to do what he had to do and I'm going come in and move forward."

Anthony has begun to move forward by staying in touch with the NC State coaching staff and focusing on his role for next year.

"I talked to the coaches before I got to McDonald's," Barber said. "Coach just tells me to go hard every day and do what I have to do and just play basketball and have fun with it. I love the coaches and just try to take what they tell me and play basketball.

"I'm pretty much going to be on the ball and coming down with it. But I'll play off-the-ball too if Tyler has the ball."